Recently Neutered Rabbit

Question
Hello,
We bought a female lion-head lop (Lola), about a month ago, to join our 2 year old male dwarf-lop Harry. About two weeks ago we had him castrated. Before the operation he was always trying to hump any humans leg, hand or arm, but ignored Lola. Since the operation he now ignores us (on the humping front) but has obsessively started to try to mate with Lola, it is now impossible to let them out together. Is this behavior temporary and is there anything you could recommend to make them friends again.

regards

Jodie

Answer
Dear Jodie,

Hoo boy. The dreaded post-neuter hump-o-mania.  It happens sometimes, and for some reason I hear about it more in lops.

Mounting isn't just sexual, but also a dominance behavior.  So it could be that Harry is just trying to tell Lola who's boss, and once they've re-established their relationship he'll stop this behavior.  But sometimes a neuter gives them a real hormone rush (no one knows why) and it can take a while for this to wear off.

In the meantime, try the bonding tips here:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-4/tough-bonding.html

and see if you make any headway.

I wish I could offer more suggestions, but at this point time is the best cure.

Take care,

Dana